178 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 
more fo, that I could not be even prefent at fo hemmd and 
bloody an Sree sisi 
Tue fuperiors appear at this time with their heads covered © 
as before their vaflals ; their mouth, too, is hid, and nothing 
is feen but their eyes: this does not proceed from modefty; 
but is a token of fuperiority, of which, covering or 
uncovering the head is a very fpecial demonftration. After 
this ceremony is over each man takes his bloody conquetft, 
and retires to prepare it in the fame manner the Indians do: 
their fcalps. To conclude this beaftly account, the: whole. 
army, on their return to Gondar, on.a particular day of re-~ 
view, throws them before the king, and leaves them at the 
gate of the palace. It is in fearch of thefe, and the unburi- 
ed bodies of criminals, that the hyznas come in fuch num- 
bers to the ftreets, where it is dangerous, even. when armed}, 
‘to walk after dark, : 
rs - 
Tris inhuman ceremony being over, alfo the care of 
the wounded, which indeed precedes every thing, the king 
received all thofe of the nobility who had diftinguifhed 
themfelves that day; the tent was crowded, and he was in 
great fpirits at the flaughter that had been made, which 
unbecoming pleafure he never could difguife: He men- 
tioned the death of his uncle Guebra Chriftos with a degree 
of chearfulnefs, prefuming, that when fuch a man died on 
his fide, many of that rank and merit muft have fallen on 
the other. Villages, appointments, and promotions, gold; 
promifes, and prefents of every kind; had been liberally 
beftowed upon thofe who had prefented themfelves, and ~ 
who had merited reward that day by their behaviour. The 
king had been furnifhed with means from the Ras, and.ac- _ 
cording: 
